Employer Engagement Specialist

If you are passionate about transforming communities with a mission-driven organization, then we have the opportunity for you!

Since 1939, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) has offered welcome and hope to refugees. LIRS has transformed lives with the support and hard work of people like you, to welcome the most vulnerable to the United States from sea to shining sea.

We help people seeking safety from persecution in their home countries and reunite families torn apart by conflict. We resettle refugees. We protect vulnerable children who arrive alone in the United States. We advocate for compassion and justice for all migrants.

Widely recognized for our expertise in implementing federal programs on behalf of refugees and migrants in the United States, conducts policy advocacy, and advances the protection and rights of vulnerable migrants.

Headquartered in the beautiful Inner Harbor of downtown Baltimore we provide services nationwide through a network of staff and affiliates. Attracting and retaining the best talent is vital to our continued growth and we are proud to offer an excellent benefits package including medical, dental, vision available the first day of employment, professional development, tuition reimbursement, generous paid time off including 20 days of vacation, 12 days of sick leave, 12 paid holidays PLUS the week between Christmas and New Year's Day, 12 weeks of paid parental leave and up to 12 weeks of fully paid FMLA leave, company 403(b) contribution of 3%, an additional 7% match, Family Building benefits for reproductive procedures, adoption/foster care assistance, and an annual wellness benefit that can be customized to support your personal needs including funding enrichment classes, gym memberships, and healthy eating plans (to name a few) all in an inclusive and progressive environment!

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service is a champion for all uprooted people. Please join us as we make a difference in the lives of newcomers.

The Employer Engagement Specialist (EES) will develop key relationships with all levels of management in organizations that employ or wish to employ Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) eligible clients. They will engage these employers to understand gaps in training or services provided to their refugee employees and create training plans in conjunction with the employer. Additionally, this position will facilitate training opportunities, gauge success metrics, and provide ongoing support as the employer reaches levels that are effective to clients' success in the workplace. This position will report to the Employer Engagement Program Coordinator and will have regular contact with hiring managers, human resource departments, and organization-wide decision makers.

DUTIES

• Closely collaborate with the Employer Engagement Program Coordinator to identify and build relationships with employers.
• Identify, contact, and build relationships with new employers.
• Develop deep relationships with all levels of management at EEP employers.
• Develop training plans in conjunction with decision makers at engaged employers.
• Work closely with employers to implement training and provide resources to reach those goals.
• Work with partner employers to develop other best practices such as childcare and mentoring programs.
• In conjunction with the Career Development Specialist, work to assess the effectiveness of employer training implementation.
• Follow up with partner employers to ensure retention, address any issues, and nurture job upgrade opportunities.
• Identify internal opportunities at an employer and make cross departmental connections to support upper mobility.
• Systematically collect feedback and program attainment metrics to determine effectiveness of efforts and make necessary improvements in collaboration with leadership.
• Create and maintain employer files with regular documentation of level of engagement, successes, as well as areas for improvement.
• Maintain relevant reports and statistics related to employer activities and program services.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Undergraduate degree in social work, social sciences, economics, or related field; preferred.
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience in non-profit immigration or social services programs.
• Experience in job development, coalition building, and assisting refugees or migrants to access workforce system resources, preferred.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships and partnerships with diverse employers and other stakeholders.
• Ability to effectively communicate with internal and external leadership-level decision makers.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business and technical documents or instructions related to employment programs and businesses.
• Ability to contribute to reporting with accurate data about employer connections and workforce center partnerships.
• Ability to create training plans and support employers as they implement those plans.
• Ability to identify trends and best practices in hiring, retaining, and supporting upward mobility.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and diplomatically in a multi-cultural setting and with limited-English proficient speakers.
• Cross cultural sensitivity and knowledge and the desire to work with people of other cultures.
• International work or study experience and second language abilities a plus.
• Ability to work well on a team.
• Ability to track and report data regularly.
• Functional fluency in one or more foreign languages preferred.

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. We participate in E-Verify in the states that permit its use.

We offer a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package in an innovative and rewarding work environment. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage effective on your first day of employment, 403(b) with company contribution and match, 20 days of vacation per year, tuition reimbursement, professional development and much more. Salaries are based on the latest market data and reflect the education, skills and requirements for the role. Differentials may exist based on the region and language abilities.